San Francisco 49ers’ Kyle Williams has teammates’ support as he impresses at camp

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The San Francisco 49ers’ Kyle Williams (10) is comforted by a teammate after Williams fumbled a punt return in overtime against the New York Giants during the NFC Championship game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. (Patrick Tehan/Staff)

Then star linebacker Patrick Willis strolled by and quipped: “I want to be just like you when I grow up.”

No one wanted to be in Williams’ shoes on Jan. 22.

But no one around the 49ers, it seems, holds a grudge over Williams’ two botched punt returns in the NFC Championship game loss.

“To some degree, sometimes you think about it and it’s weird: They genuinely do have my back on this,” Williams, a third-year receiver, said. “It’s really been a treat to have those guys there.”

That includes the 49ers’ hierarchy, from coach Jim Harbaugh’s and general manager Trent Baalke’s offseason endorsements to a more recent one from CEO Jed York.

Asked by a fan on Twitter to pick the 49ers’ breakout player this season, York responded: “Hoping it is @KyleWilliams_10.”

Some unforgiving fans already knew Williams’ Twitter handle in January, issuing him death threats after the 20-17 overtime defeat to the New York Giants. Since then, Williams has had a burning desire to get back and make plays, if not amends.

“There’s a different type of feeling when you get knocked on your ass like I did,” Williams said. “It all went bad. When the worst possible thing happens, and that pain you’re dealing with, it burns in you. It eats away at you.

” … It’s a different type of intensity that can’t be described unless you go through it. Guys have gone through it in different walks of life and in different ways, and I guess that was mine.”

That extra motivation is translating quite well in camp. He made a couple of phenomenal catches Wednesday while the 49ers worked on third-down conversions, a dismal area last season when they ranked second-to-last in the league.

Williams also must earn a roster spot through special teams, whether that be serving as the gunner on punt coverage, returning kicks or, yes, fielding punts.

Unwilling to hide from his national notoriety, he’s also fulfilling interview requests, such as those from the two national writers who have attended camp, from Sports Illustrated and the Los Angeles Times.

Sports Illustrated’s Peter King wrote that Harbaugh said of Williams: “We will not allow the media to hang an albatross (around) his neck. He’s on the inside of our team looking out.”

Williams’ teammates — and others within the NFL circle — rushed to support him after last season’s game. They, and he, have gladly let the issue quietly fade. However, former Giants running back Brandon Jacobs couldn’t help but bring up the NFC title game when he first joined the 49ers this offseason.

Williams recalled Jacobs’ introductory words as: “You were killing us. You were running that thing, so don’t think about it. You can run that rock now. Don’t let that hang around.’ “

More sage advice came from another newcomer, wide receiver Randy Moss, who offers “elaborate answers” to even the most random question, Williams said. While now Moss jokingly calls him “Kenneth,” Williams reciprocates by calling Moss “Randall.”

Wide receiver Michael Crabtree (lower leg) did individual conditioning work on a side field while missing his fourth practice. Also out were wide receiver Joe Hastings (leg) and cornerback Curtis Holcomb (leg). Freshly activated guard Joe Looney was not involved in 11-on-11 drills.

Asked which wide receiver talks the most, cornerback Carlos Rogers said: “The one hurt right now: Crab. … I can’t wait until he gets back out there.”

Linebacker NaVorro Bowman credited his increased maturity to his three children, including twins who were born in June. “When I go home, I smile a lot,” Bowman said.

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